West Ham should look to Valencia’s Rodrigo Moreno to evolve their attack

A summer of change is on the horizon for West Ham United this summer with the board currently on the look-out for a new manager. On top of that, the Daily Mail recently reported that attacking duo Javier Hernandez and Andy Carroll both want out of the club, meaning that one of the first challenges for the new man in charge will be to revolutionise his attacking set-up. And one man he could turn to would be Valencia striker Rodrigo Moreno.

There have been no reports linking Rodrigo with a move to the London Stadium and it would take a strong financial package to convince the Spanish international to give up Champions League football, but Calciomercato recently claimed that he would cost just £30 million with Tottenham and Everton among the clubs to be hovering.

Having been Valencia’s top scorer this season with 19 goals to date, Rodrigo’s pace and intelligent movement up-front would offer exactly what his side have been crying out for in a one dimensional attack all season long.

(Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

David Moyes even resorted to fielding Marko Arnautovic as a makeshift centre-forward at time purely for his pace and strength, something that Rodrigo has in abundance. Having shone up against the defences of Barcelona, Real Madrid and many other top European sides in Spain, he could relish the chances to do so away from the Iberian peninsula.

Valencia themselves could be open to a deal if the offer is right, according to MARCA, and it is hard to see why West Ham would be put off. The club have tended to focus on players with experience of British football of late but that has not produced results.

The 27-year-old has shown that his ability to dribble and create chances out of nothing would bring back entertainment to east London, something that has been sorely missing for the Hammers and their fans ever since Dimitri Payet left in January 2017.

Sam is a football journalist focusing on English football at all levels and Spanish football. He also writes for Spain's biggest daily sports newspaper, MARCA, as well as The Boot Room. Find Sam on Twitter at @samleveridge.

West Ham fans criticise Mark Noble after Liverpool defeat

A new era has dawned at West Ham but Mark Noble remains in the heart of midfield despite all the changes made by Manuel Pellegrini.

The Hammers skipper is very much like Marmite. While many believe it is a travesty he is continuously overlooked by England, others would not be surprised to see the Faroe Islands snub an opportunity for him to feature in their midfield.

Fans are certainly a fickle bunch and West Ham supporters slotted into the latter category in their views towards Noble after Sunday’s dismantling at the hands of Liverpool, which leaves the Hammers rooted to the bottom of the table at the embryonic stage of the Premier League season.

Up against an organised and effective midfield, Noble did not impress in his performances and many fans are now calling for the skipper to be dropped for this weekend’s hosting of Bournemouth as a result, in what will be Pellegrini’s first match at the London Stadium.

Felipe hasn't shown much. Noble lost. Once again arnautovic is best player by a mile.

It doesn’t matter how many signings West Ham make. It doesn’t matter how much money they spend in the process. What matters is that whoever is in charge continues to play Mark Noble. If you’re West Ham on Football Manager, getting him out of the team is the first thing you do!

One winner, one loser for Liverpool as they trounced West Ham 4-0

Liverpool secured an impressive 4-0 opening day win over West Ham for their record equaling biggest ever win for a first league game in the Premier League era and it was an impressive day for many men.

Some in particular stood out, whilst those not involved may be fearing for how they can break into this team. So early on in the season, there is plenty at stake for many players in the squad.

Here are the key men affected by Sunday’s display:

Winner: James Milner

The dominant force in Liverpool’s midfield, Milner bossed every aspect of the game from his position. Creating more chances, covering more ground and playing more passes than anyone else, he was at the heart of almost everything that Liverpool created and was fundamental to their victory.

With Fabinho and Naby Keita having arrived this summer, it was a strong performance to prove a point that he warrants a regular place in the side and will not have done the likes of Fabinho or Jordan Henderson any favours as they look to work their way back into the team.

(Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)

Loser: Dejan Lovren

Returning from World Cup duty injured could have some big consequences for the Croatian, particularly as Joe Gomez stepped up and filled his shoes comfortably in his absence. The youngster looked secure in his role alongside Virgil Van Dijk, making more blocks and clearances than any other player.

“He is not fit. Let me say it like this, last year he already had a few problems with that but he could obviously play – and played really good. Now in the World Cup, [playing] three times [for] 120 minutes it got a bit worse, but I am pretty sure it will settle in the next one, two or three weeks. In the end, it is serious but not that serious, so it’s not that we need to be afraid that it will take him until whenever. In the moment he is not available, that’s true.”

With a prolonged spell on the sidelines potentially ahead of the defender, Lovren may fear for his future role. Having ended the season as undisputed first choice, that may change if Gomez can cement himself in the team.

Three things Liverpool fans learnt after victory over West Ham

Liverpool begin their Premier League campaign with perhaps more optimism than ever before and their 4-0 trouncing of West Ham just went to show why.

Goals from Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Daniel Sturridge sent the Reds to the top of the table with only one game played and before reigning champions Manchester City face Arsenal.

Here is what we learned from the game…

There will be no shortage of goals at Anfield

Everyone saw just how prolific Mohamed Salah could be last season and it was no surprise to see him opening the team’s account for the 2018/19 campaign.

What will have pleased fans even more though will have been what came next with a brace for Sadio Mane and another strike for late substitute Daniel Sturridge.

Liverpool’s attack has long looked threatening but with a fit and in form Sturridge providing depth and the likes of Naby Keita creating opportunities from deep, it really isn’t hard to imagine any Premier League side being able to stop them.

Naby Keita was worth the wait

Liverpool fans may feel like the last 12 months waiting for Naby Keita’s Anfield debut in competitive action have been an eternity but he has immediately showed why Jurgen Klopp and co. were prepared to be patient with a dominant display.

Keita covered every blade of grass for the Reds as he tracked deep when required but spent much of his time in a more advanced role, behind the front three and looking to feed them in. He may not have been cheap, costing £48 million, but it is clear that he’s the man Klopp wants to build his midfield around.

Never write off James Milner

The most passes, the most chances created, by assist, the most defensive aerial duels won and the most completed crosses.

It may sound like the statistics of a young midfield engine but instead it was experienced veteran James Milner showing that he should still be starting for Liverpool week in and week out.

Following the arrivals of Fabinho and Keita, many questioned what role the 32-year-old would play as he heads into the final year of his current contract and after only one game he’s made his point.